Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly interested in Santos wonderkid Joao Pedro Chermont.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough term in men's senior football during the 2024 campaign in South America, featuring heavily in Brazil's second tier.
Chermont has made 24 appearances so far during the 2024 Serie B campaign for Santos, scoring two goals and providing three assists from the backline.
The right-back also possesses relative international pedigree, having featured on seven occasions for Brazil Under-17s over the past year.
Chermont played the full 90 minutes for Santos on September 29, when Fabio Carille's troops kept a clean sheet in the victory over Operario Ferroviario.
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Arsenal, Chelsea to battle for Chermont?
According to CaughtOffside, a host of Premier League clubs are monitoring the progress of Santos wonderkid Chermont ahead of the January transfer window.
The report claims that London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are both keen on securing the services of the highly-rated 18-year-old in the near future.
It is understood that Santos are open to the sale of Chermont following their relegation to Serie B last season, with the club under immense financial pressure.
There is said to be a £58m release clause in the defender's contract, although it remains to be seen whether either Arsenal and Chelsea would pay that fee.
As well as the aforementioned capital duo, it is believed that Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton are also in the race for Chermont in 2025.
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Arsenal, Chelsea face major competition
On top of a quartet of Premier League outfits, La Liga powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona are also monitoring the progress of Chermont.
Despite this, it is understood that the Spanish pair are not at an advanced stage in their interest for the Santos star, meaning that bids for the player are not expected imminently.
On the other hand, Arsenal and Chelsea have supposedly made contact with members of Chermont's inner circle, signalling that a swoop for the right-back could be high up on the to-do list for both the Gunners and the Blues.
Carter White
